Mings' Hero can turn things around in the final leg of Triple Trio
The combination of Brett Prebble and Dennis Yip Chor-hong have got off to a flying start and they look set to add to their impressive statistics with Mings' Hero in the final leg of Sunday's Triple Trio at Sha Tin.
With the TT failing to go off at Monday's season opener, the main prize is expected to reach HK$6 million, and Mings' Hero certainly fits the banker bill with a return to 1,400m and Class Four.
Yip and Prebble teamed up for a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with City Surfer and Wait For Me to improve their statistics for this year to 14 winners from 63 runners - a win strike rate of 22.2 per cent.
Mings' Hero may only be responsible for one of those successes, but the four-year-old raced without a great deal of luck last season, and gives the impression he is better than just a Class Four performer this time around.
He landed his first success four starts back, before stepping up to 1,600m for the first time and finding promising One Touch a shade too good.
His effort at his following outing when posted right off the track from a wide barrier was full of merit, before ending a long season with a disappointing effort behind China Lujia when rising in class.
He was tuned up for his return with a barrier trial on September 5 and, although easily beaten by impressive Lucky Quality in a sizzling time, Mings' Hero wasn't asked a serious question by Prebble, but importantly moved sweetly.
From gate six, Prebble will likely have Mings' Hero handy to the leader, Shining Dragon, and he should be able to bounce back to his best.
His main rivals will come from King Fay Fay, Conqueror, Shining Dragon and Accelerator, while Expedikid is capable of getting into the action if he gets any luck from his wide alley.
In the opening leg, Magic Temple could prove a value banker, despite being better known over more ground.
The Sean Woods-trained gelding opened last term over this track and turned in a terrific effort to finish fifth to Kimbo Kid.
He showed he was in good order when trialling smartly on September 12 and, off a winnable rating, it will be no surprise to see him get right over the top of his opposition.
Other worthy inclusions are Care Free Midas, That's It, Viento and likely leader Sou Ma Tam. In the middle pin, it's hard to go past Multi-Win Spirit when searching for a banker, given the chestnut should get all the favours in the run from gate one.
The seven-year-old broke his maiden status six starts back, and appeared unlucky not to win his next two appearances after striking traffic problems.
He indicated he was primed for a bold first-up showing when winning a September 12 barrier trial, and he won't get a better chance to notch another success.
His toughest rivals will be King Of Fish, Lucky Tycoon, Namjong Sky, Freebird and Double Fantasy.
